It's time for the Chiefs to let Justyn Ross shine

The good news for Kansas City is that it might not need to look too far to give its receiving corps a boost. 

Preseason darling Justyn Ross logged just six offensive snaps in his NFL debut, hauling in his lone target for a six-yard reception. Those numbers should skyrocket for Ross in Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

According to Next Gen Stats, starting wideouts Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore posted catch percentages of -58.9% and -61.3%, respectively, in Week 1 — a clear indication neither is the answer to Kansas City's WR1 vacancy.  

At 6-foot-4-inches and 210 pounds, Ross has the stature and skillset to project as a go-to target in the NFL. 

Before neck and foot injuries unraveled his collegiate career, Ross was considered a blue-chip prospect for the Clemson Tigers on par with LSU product Ja'Marr Chase — a player now widely considered a top-two receiver in the NFL. Bleacher Report draft expert turned ESPN analyst Matt Miller even predicted Ross to be a top-eight selection in his "way-too-early" 2021 mock draft. 

Ross' talent was on full display in the 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship game, when the then-19-year-old freshman torched a star-studded Alabama secondary for 153 yards and one touchdown on six receptions.

Injuries ultimately derailed Ross from becoming a first-round pick. However, the undrafted free agent showcased his first-round skillset this summer. Ross dominated in training camp and carried over his stellar play into game action, where he hauled in two highlight touchdowns this preseason.  

During a recent appearance on ESPN's “NFL Live," analyst Dan Orlovsky likened Ross' upside to that of ex-Cincinnati Bengals star A.J. Green. 

“But the defending Super Bowl champion, if Justin Ross stays healthy, not if he’s good enough, if he stays healthy, they stumble into A.J. Green. Think about that," Orlovsky said. "And then all the concerns about the second pass-catching option, they go away.”

While we won't go as far as to put Ross on the same level as a seven-time Pro Bowler, it's not farfetched to envision a trajectory where, at worst, Ross develops into a poor man's version of Green. 

If that happens this season, then chances are the Chiefs are once again hoisting the Lombardi Trophy come February.